Multiport valve



D 5, 1953 J. R. RHINEHART ETAL ,5

MULTIPORT VALVE Filed May 2, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 /50 fil r x INVENTORS (/zar/es H. E5/7r/c/7 Ja/m Rhinebarz" ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 15, 1953 NITED QEFI'CE Industrial Equipment Division, 1nd,,

Patel-son, fJl, a corporation of .New Jersey: Application May 2, 1949, Serial No. 91K958: -12 jl ai ns. (Cl. 137-2634) s invention .iielates P9." mu t p r valves- More specifically it; concerns a multiport valve particularly adapted for controlling-theflow of Water o other liq ids inwpredete m nedpath through water softening; units 1 or other liquid h n l n devices thr u h nduits.-:i te 0 ne ting the same to the valve.

Valve devices heretofor available for such purho s a e f a des n; which can ha d e waterat my ted t s o iflcwr Acco d n ly an ob of i invention isrto ovide an mproved multip v lve i ned t ntrol water soften n units of large capacity through i which water passes at a substantial rateof now,

A further object of this invention isto provide n improved multipor velvewhich-is to be conn tte to n u ts s b ant al capacity, sa d a ve including pring pr s ed! cam-operated re.- r cable sc o p ppet yalyc members wherein said valve memb rs are d i ned to be per e with springs of relatively small size.

Still another object 10f. this nvention, is to pro,- vide an iinproved multiport ,yalye which com.- pii ses o chambers to ether. with .cam operated valve means in each orthe chambers, the chambers beingarranged in; 1a manner whereby ach .Qf: the. chamb rs m y rectly receive ;raw water or alternatively, directly dispose ofwa-ste.

till a nnthcrbicct or this. inven ion is to provide a multipon valve for a-water softening unit, comprising a unitary body formed :With' a plurality of chambers, a pairgof the chambers bein a g d. ,-,communicating relation to a third chamber, either of thepair of chambers being adapted to directly receive raw water .or to directly dispose of .waste, the thirdchamber being adaptedto receive-waste :from eitherxof the pair 01" chambers, selectively operated, .cam c0n trolled, valve, members for controllingthe com.- munication between the pair 0f chambers and fllihil'd ham er he came being disp d the dph mhereand ac ssible iorr pla m 0r adjustment together with means vonthe .valve 93 9 .fQ dinst ng the rate of flowwf. water through the soft ning nnit @duringbackwas-hing -n ins nsopen .9

A furtherobct c this inventionis to provide n improved ;;liiR0lIt. valve for-a water soften.- ing unit, which comprises a sbody formed with a plurality of chambers, ,together. with valve members disposed within thechambers for controlling the flow of raw-.watensoft water, waste and -;regenerating solution intp and; out of selectedchame n 9 th valv memb s T1 3 13 9 the a n operated, reciprocable disc or poppet valve type and being operable :by a rotatable cam shaft,,the openingand closure of .thevalve members occurring in accordance with a predetermined cyclical pattern of operation, the pattern of operation being such that th force necessary. to rotate the cam shaft to initiate the openingnof aclosed valve member, is augmented by a forceincidentto the closure of an openvalve member, the augmented forc being transmittedto the cam shaft through the cam of the closingvalve member.

Yet anotherobject of this invention is to-provide an improved multiport valve for controlling the operation of av water softening unit andcomprising a unitary body formed with a :plurality of liquidhandlingcha nbers, together with a'cam shaft chamber adjacent the liquid handling chambers, reciprocable valve members in. the liquid handling chamber including operating stems extending into the cam shaft chamberior nga em nt w th cam on the cam shaft, thecam Shaft hamber bein adapted to collect any liquid leaking from the liquid handling chambers by way of the valveoperat ng stems.

Yet a iur ther object of this invention isto provide a rugged, durable, multiport valve, which is ompact and fully contained in respectto all necessary controls for regulating the operation of a t er softening unit and is practical and "emcienttoa high degree in use.

Other objects.ofthis-invention will-in part-be obvious. and in part hereinafter pointed .out.

The invention accordingly consists in the feartures of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplifiedin the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of-invent-ionwill be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, ,in which is shown various illustrat ve-.embodiments of the in.- e ice:

Fig. 1 is a 1 ront v elevationalview of a water softening unit with parts cut away. and parts in section together with a nultiport valv embody.- ing the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view-of themultiport valve;

Fig. 2 isa front elevational view thereof;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view similar. to that "shown in Fig. 2 with the manifold removed, with parts cut away and partsin section, showing. the in.- terior ofthe valve;

Fig. 5 "is a sectional view'taken' on the line 55 in Fig. 2 and showing the manifold} Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the cyclical pattern'of operation of thevalve operating camsin the multiport valve embodying the invention."

interconnecting walls 25, 26.

edge surfaces of the walls, 25, 26, 21, 28.

with a centrally disposed boss 33.

Referring in detail to the drawings, l designates a conventional, upstanding, cylindrical water softening unit having extending from the top wall thereof, a downwardly extending conduit H which is connected to a multiport valve l2 embodying the invention. A conduit |3, connected at one end to the bottom of the unit I6, is connected to the underside of valve |2.

A brine inlet conduit l4 extends downwardly from an upper portion of the sidewall of the unit and includes an injector portion Ma, therein. The injector portion |4a of conduit I4, is connected to the valve l2 at its upper side by a conduit l5 and is further connected to the valve at its underside by a conduit l6.

An incoming raw water conduit I1 is connected to a distributing manifold |1a mounted on the upper side of the valve l2. A soft water conduit 18 extends from the underside of the valve l2 to a soft water service line, not shown. A waste conduit l9 extends from one end of the valve and may be connected to sewage disposal means. not shown. An incoming brine carrying conduit 26 interconnects the underside of the valve l2 and a source of brine, notshown.

zeolite or other material calculated to soften hard water. An open space 23 occurs between the top of bed 22 and the top wall of unit Ill.

The valve i2 comprises an integral, cast hollow member of generally rectangular shape and includes a top Wall 25, a bottom wall 26 parallel thereto and a pair of parallel end walls 21, 28 The valve I2 is open at its opposite sides, the open sides being closed by outwardly dished cover plates 29, 29a, which may be suitably bolted to the exposed A peripheral gasket 36 of suitable material provides a liquid seal between the cover plates and the valve body.

. As shown in Fig. 4, end wall 28 is formed with .a centrally disposed boss 3l-extending outwardly thereof.

The boss 3| is formed with a central bearing opening 32. The end wall 21 is formed The boss 33 is formed with a port 33a aligned with opening 32.

with a port 31 disposed intermediate ports 34,

36, with a port 38 disposed opposite, and in slightly offset relation to port 31, with an elongated, slotted port 39, adjacent port 31 and with a rectangular shaped access opening 40 disposed intermediate ports 31, 38, for the purposes hereinafter appearing.

The bottom wall 26 is formed with a port 4|. to which conduit l3 may be suitably interconnected. The wall 26 is also formed with a port 42 which is vertically aligned with port 35 and to which conduit l8 may be suitably interconnected. The bottom wall 26 is further formed with a pair of similar, adjacent ports 42a, 43.

to which conduits I6, 26, respectively may be suitably interconnected.

As shown in Figs. 4, 5, the interior of the valve I2 is divided into a plurality of chambers by means of upstanding partition walls interconnecting top wall 25 and bottom wall 26. A pair of parallel partition walls 56, 5|, disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis of the valve, extend from end wall 23 towards end wall 21 and terminating short thereof. The walls 56, 5| are interconnected by a transverse partition wall 52, thus forming a longitudinally disposed, rectangular shaped, cam shaft chamber 53. The wall 52 includes opposite end portions projecting beyond the walls 50, 5| and which are interconnected to the end wall 2'2, by a pair of longitudinally extending, parallel partition walls 54, 55, thus forming a rectangular shaped, transversely disposed, outlet chamber 56. The wall 52 is formed with a bearing opening 5'! which is aligned with bearing opening 32. The walls 56, 52, 55, 21, 28 and cover plate 23 define a longitudinally extending chamber The wall 56 is formed with a pair of similar, spaced openings 56a, 56b disposed intermediate walls 25, 26. The wall 55 is formed with a port 551 which interconnects chamber 56 with chamber 58.

A transverse partition wall 65 disposed intermediate end walls 21, 28, extends from the wall 5| to the rear edges of walls 25, 26, thus forming with walls 5|, 52, 54, 21 and cover plate 29a, a chamber 6|. Wall 54 is formed with a port 59a which interconnects chamber 56 with chamber 6|. The port 56a is axially ofiset relative to port 59.

A transverse partition wall 62, disposed intermediate walls 66, 26, extends from wall 5| to the rear edges of walls 25, 26. A short longitudinally extending partition wall 63, interconnecting walls 62 and 28, and disposed intermediate wall 5| and the rear edges of walls 25, 26 forms a pair of separated chambers 64, 65. A longitudinal projection of wall 63 extends from wall 62 towards wall but terminates short thereof. A transverse partition wall 61 interconnects wall 5! and the outer end of projecting wall 66, thus forming a pair of separated chambers 68, 65.

It will be apparent from a consideration of Fig. 4, that port communicates with chamber 68, port 43 with chamber 64, port 36 with chamber 65, slot 39 with chamber 69, ports 34 and 31 with chamber 6|, while ports 35, 38, 4|, 42 communicate with chamber 58.

The walls 63, 66 are formed with similar ports 1|, 12, respectively, thus affording intercommunication between chambers 64, 65 and chambers 68, 69 respectively. The wall 5| is formed with a pair of similar openings 13, 14, which are axially aligned with the ports 1|, 12, respectively. The wall 5| is further formed with an opening 5|a disposed intermediate walls 25, 26 and axially offset relative to opening 50a.

The manifold H0. is provided for interconnecting the conduit H with chambers 58, 69, 6|. To this end the manifold is disposed transversely of the top wall 25 of the valve l2 and covers the ports 31, 38, the slot 39 and access opening 40. The manifold |1a comprises a semi-cylindrical top wall 15, a front wall 16 and a bottom wall 11, thus forming an enclosed chamber 18. A cylindrical inlet 19 projects upwardly from the rear end of wall 15, communicating at its lower end with the chamber 18. The conduit |1 may be suitably interconnected to inlet 19. The mani- :fold I :Ic :further comprises ran outwardly :extendperipheral flange. 80. disposed in the planego'f bottom wall 11, which provides means for bolting the manifoldto lthegwalll25, The bottom wall I7 is. formed on its outer surface with a rectangular shaped, raised rib BI which is adapted to registerwith the access opening-40in wall 25, thus .properl'y. positioningthe manifold relative, to wall 25. The .wall I! is iurtheriormed-with a porttz disp'osed'opposite thelower end of inlet I9 and is. adapted toregister with port 37 in wall 25. The wall TI is also formed with an elongated port 83,,adjacent port 82, which is adaptedto register with port 39 in wall125, The wall 'IIpis further formediwith aport 8 4, which i adapted to register with port 38, in-wall-ZS,

Meansis-provided for cyclically controlling the flow of liquid in the Various conduits interconnecting the unit, I andthe valve I 2. To this end, cam operated 'reciprocableor poppet type valve meansare suitably mounted within-selected ports, in the manner hereinafter, described.

As showndn Fig. 4, intercommunication between chambers 56.and58, is controlledby means of a valve unit 85. The unit 85 comprises, a combination valve seat and valve stem guide which includes a valve seat 86 mounted in port 59. A pair, of oppositely disposed, curved arms extend fromthe seat 86, projecting through port 59 into chamber 56 and terminating in an axially bored hub88,

A valve stem193-is slidably mounted for guided movement in hub 88, A valve disc 94, formed with a central opening is mounted on the stem 33 for engagement with valve seat 86. The disc 94 is normally retained in engagement with seat 5.5; through pressure of liquidin chamber 58 and by means of a sprin'g Q B. A cam roller assembly 51 is suitably mounted on the end of the valve stem 93, which, projects into c'hamber'56.

A valve'unit 85a, similar to unit 85, is mounted in port 59a, to control theintercommunication between chambers 56 and BI. The cam roller assembly 31a on unit 85a, is slightly o'fiset relative, to cam roller assembly'9 "I Meansis provided'for actuating valve units 85,

55a. "To this end, a cam shaft 93 is rotatably mounted in cam shaft chamber"53,being supported atone end in a'combinationbearing and adjustable stuffing box I00, which is mounted in opening32inwall 28. The cam shaft 98ris'further'supported'inan'outboard bearing IOI extendmgrrom the opening'S'I in wall52. The end portion 33a of the cam shaft. projects into cham- "be'r'56 and has'mounted' thereon-a pair of cams I02; I03, which are engageable with cam rollers 91, 91a, respectively. Thus, upon rotation of cam shaft 98 to'predeterminedangular positions, valve units. 85,- 85aare operatedtto selectively connect chamber56 with chambers 58, 6 I.

:Means is also provided for controlling intercommunication between chambers 64, 65 and chambers 68, 69, respectively. To this end, similar valve units I05, Ia, are mounted in the ports'II, I2, respectively. The unit I05 comprises a valve seat 'I06'mounte'd in port H and a valve "stem I0'I' slidably mounted at oneend in a bushin'g'IIlB fixedin openingl3 in wall-5| and in a spring holder; not shown, at the other-end there- The spring-holder, not Sh0W11,-'is similar to spring holder 90, previously described, except that' it isof reduced-proportions. A valve disc "I09 .-is=adjustab1ymounted on stem I01, in the manner. described in connection-with valve, unit :85, for engagement'with'seat I06. -A coil spring dia -on stem I01. retains disc I09 in its port closing i o T e iorwardrendotstem l 'l pro jects through bushing I08 intolchambfir 5,3 and engages a cam -I I11 mounted on shaftfifii $i larly, valve unit I.Il5a is actuated bya cam III mounted-on shafttil.

Means is also provided for controlling, -,communication between chamber 18in manifold I-Ia and chambers 58 andzel. T this end there is provided a pair of similar, double ported, balanced valve assemblies I;I.-5 -I .I.t;, which are mounted in ports 3.8, 31, respectively.

A valve stem I32 is slidably mounted in a bushing I33 fixedin opening 50a in wall for guided movement through the o penin'gs in body III.

A valve disc I 34, having aoentrallyopening therein, is mountedon a stem I32. A valve disc I38, similar to discl34, is likewis'emountedon a portion stem I32 for engagementlwith seat I25. A coil spring I39 is mounted onstem I32, abutting the disc I35at one end thereof.

The valve stem I32projects into chamber '53 and includes an end portion I40 engageable with a cam member I4I su'itablylfixed on cam shaft 98. It will be apparent. thatthe liquid pressure within body II! will be eduallydistributed with respect to the similar discs 134;]38, allowing the spring I39 which keeps the valve assembly H5 in a closed condition, to be of'relatively small size.

Upon rotation of the. shafttfl toa predetermined angular position,,cam'member I4I will be effective to move valvestem I32 against the action of a spring I39 to open'the valve assembly H5, thereby establishing communication between chamber It! inr'manifoldIIa and; the chamber 58, by way of registering ports 38,-8 4.

The double ported,balanced'valve-assemblyI I6 is similar to assembly 5 and-issimila-rly mounted in port 31 for suspensionfwithin"chamber SI. The valve stem I32a of assembly IIB, projects through a bushing I'33a'fixed in opening 5Ia in wall 5I and engages a cam member I42-suitably fixed to cam shaft 98. The operation of valve assembly E E6 is similarto that ofp-assembly I-I-5 except that communication is controlled between chamber I5 of manifold I'Ia and chamber GI by Way of registering ports 31,32. It is understood that the cam members I41 and I42 are contoured in a manner to permitselective connectionbetween the raw water conduit and chambers 58, 6 I.

A double ported, balanced valve-assembly I43, which is similar in its details to assemblies H5, I I6, is mounted in an inverted positionin chamber 53 through port 42 in wall 26. The valve stem I32b of assembly I 43 projectsthrough a bushing I33b fixed in opening 50?) in wall 50 andengages a cam member I M'fixed on cam shatte s. Assembly I43 is operative to control communication between chamber 58 and the soft water con duit I8, in the manner previously described with respect to assemblies I I5; IIB. In the event that it is desired thatfconduit I8 shall extend upwardly of valve I2 insteadof downwardly as shown in Fig. 1, cover plate 35a is removed from port 35 to permit mounting of the assembly I43 in an upright position. The port. is then closed by means of cover plate'35a.

An end portion 98b ofcam shaft98, which projects outwardly of the stuffing box I00, may be suitably interconnected toa. combination motor and timing device I50 whereby. the cam shaft is periodically rotated to predetermined angular positions to produce a desired flow of, liquids in accordance with. a predetermined pattern of cyclical operation of the softening unit I0, as hereinafter described.

The size of the ports 59, 58a may be adjusted for the purpose hereinafter appearing, by means of orifice discs I5I which are removably mounted in annular recessed portions of the valve seats 86 in valve assemblies 88, 85a. A plurality of such. discs having orifices of different sizes may be provided for use under different water pressures as hereinafter described.

The operation of the different valve assemblies during the cyclical operation of softening unit I0, is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 8, wherein the base lines indicate the closed position of a valve assembly and the extent and rate of opening of the assemblies is traced by the respective curves. The diagram thus shows the relative condition of the valve assemblies at any given angular position of the cam shaft through a complete revolution thereof covering the successive operations of softening, back washing, brining or regenerating and rinsing.

When raw water from conduit I1 is to be softened in unit I0, cam shaft 88 is in a position wherein cam members I42 and I44 are effective to open valve assemblies H8 and I43, respectively, the remaining valve assemblies being retained in closed condition. Accordingly, raw water is directly admitted to chamber 6| through manifold I'Ia by way of registering ports 31, 82 and flows outwardly into conduit II by way of port 34. The water is thus brought into the top of unit I and the softened water is removed from the bottom of the unit by means of conduit I3 which brings it directly into chamber 58 by way The softened water then passes to valve of port 4|. the service conduit I8 by way of the open assembly I43 and port 42.

When the softening agent in bed 22 has become exhausted, the bed is back washed to remove collected sediment and the like. Accordingly, as indicated in Fig. 6, rotation of shaft 98 produces a relatively quick closure of valve assemblies II6, I43 and a more gradual opening of valve assemblies I I5, 85a by way of cam members I4I, I03, respectively. As a result, raw water in manifold I'Ia passes directly to chamber 58, through port M and conduit I3 into the bottom of unit I0. The water passes upwardly through bed 22, coming out of the top of the unit and passing directly to chamber GI by way of conduit II, from there passing to chamber 56 by way of open valve assembly 850. and thence to waste conduit I9.

After the back washing operation, the bed 22 is ready to be brined or regenerated. Accordingly, shaft 98 is rotated to a position wherein valve assemblies 85a and H are quickly closed and cam members I02, III), and III are effective to open valve assemblies 85, I05 and I05a, respectively. As a result, raw water from manifold I'Ia, passes directly into chamber 69 by way of registering ports 39, 83, through open valve assembly I05a into chamber 68 and thence into injector I4a by way of port 42a. and conduit I8. At the same time, a measured amount of brine from a source, not shown, is brought directly into chamber 64 by conduit 20 and passes to injector I4a by way of open valve assembly I05, chamber 65, port 38 and conduit I5. The brine is thus injected into the top of unit I0 by way of conduit I4 and trickles through the bed 22 to regenerate the same. The waste brine passes out of the bottom of unit I0 and is received directly into chamber 58 by way of conduit I3 and port 8 M. The waste then passes through open assembly 85, into chamber 58 and thence to waste conduit I9.

The regenerated bed 22 is then rinsed. Accordingly, shaft 98 is rotated to a position wherein valve assemblies I05, I05a are quickly closed, valve assembly remains open and valve assembly I I6 is opened through cam member I42. As a result, raw water in manifold IIa passes directly to chamber 6|, through port 34 into unit I0 by way of conduit II. The waste rinse water from the bottom of unit passes directly to chamber 58 by way of conduit I3 and port H and thence to waste conduit I9 by Way of open valve assembly 85, chamber 58 and port 33a. As indicated in Fig. 8, the valve assemblies II5, I43, 85a, I05 and I05a are in their closed position during the rinsing operation.

After rinsing, further rotation of shaft 98 will cause cam member I02 to gradually close valve assembly 85, cam member I44 will gradually open valve assembly I43 and cam member I42 will retain valve assembly H6 in its open position thus restoring the system to its original condition whereby raw water is again directly passed to chamber 6| for softening, in the manner previously described.

It will be apparent from a com'deration of Fig. 2, that any leakage of water from chambers 58, 6|, 53 and 88 through the bushings I33, I33a, I331) an I08, will pass to the cam chamber 53. The shaft 98 is readily sealed at wall 28 by means of the adjustable stuffing box I00. Accumulated liquid may leak past the packing IOI, in which event, the liquid will pass to the outlet chamber 55. It will be apparent that the bushings I08, I33, I33a and I330 are subjected to substantial wear due to the reciprocatory movement of the valve stems, thus making the bushings prone to leakage. Any Wear on the stufhng box I00 may be readily compensated for by suitable adjustment of the packing box.

The force necessary to effect rotation of the cam shaft 98 is reduced to a minimum, due to the design and arrangement of the cam members on the shaft. Referring to Fig. 6, it will be noted that when a closed valve assembly is to be opened, such opening is slightly anticipated by a relatively fast closing of an already open valve assembly. Aided by the liquid pressure on the spring side of such closing valve assemblies, a thrust is delivered to the corresponding cam members, thus producing a torque which tends to rotate shaft 98. Accordingly, the motor I50 which rotates shaft 98 is assisted by the supplemental torque created by the closing valve assemblies. It will be further noted that the additional torque is provided when the need for such torque is greatest, that is, at the initiation of the opening of a valve assembly. It is understood that cam shaft 98 may be rotated manually to the selected positions in the cyclical operation of the unit I0. Thus the motor I50 may be replaced by a crank and gear reduction means suitably attached to the projecting portion of the cam shaft and a dial may be provided as a guide for the soften, backwash, brine and rinse positions of the shaft.

The valve discs 94 of assemblies 85, 85a are retained in their closed position by the liquid pressure on the spring sides thereof, thus sealing the outlet chamber 56 during the softening operation. The springs 98 insure the return of the valve discs to their closed position after the discs have been moved to open position by the cam' members'lfl2, I03. 'Accordinglmthe springs 96 maybe of relatively small size, notwithstanding thcsiae' ofth'e ort being sealed'and the total pressure-appliedto the valve discs,

The valve assemblies H5, l Iiiand 143, being double ported, haveequalized or balanced pressures exerted against the valve discs 134, L38, thereof. In valves [2 ofsubstantial capacity and corresponding disc size, springs I 39 may be of relatively small size and still {adequate to keep the valve assemblies in 'their'closed position.

The disposition of the"cam"members I02, "33, and valve stems '93 within the readily accessible chamber 56, allows the valve assemblies 85, 85a to be adjusted to control the rate offlow of water through'the unit l duringbaclg Wash and rinsing-operations. In this manner, the eifect'of'high pressures in the raw water conduit ll may be controlled to prevent undue lifting of the softening bed 22 duringback washingoperations and the loss of softening agent during rinsing operations. Such adjustments may be accomplished by loosening the jam nuts 95 to permit the valve stems 93 to be moved lO lgitudinally relative to the valve discs, thus determining the "maximum opening of the valve assemblies. Further adjustment's may be made by removing and replacing or repositioning the cam members I 02, I113, whereby the travel of the valve stems maybe suitably increased or decreased,

The orifice discs I5! provide further means for controlling the rate flow of liquid through the unit "H1. The discs l5! with orifices of selected size. e u ed o ecr se th s z o rts 59, 59a in accordance with the pressure in the raw water line l'l'andth'e desired rate of flow of liquid through unit I0. 7

I? is a p t t at h h m er 6 is ada e to directly receiveraw Water during the soften; ing operation andconversely, todirectly dispose of waste during the back WaShing operation. While chamber 58 is adapted to directly dispose of soft water during the softening operation, it is also adapted to directly receive raw water during the bacl; washing operation and to directly dispose of Waste during regenerating and rinsing operations. Thus, each of the chambers 58, 5| is 'designedto function directly tor difierent purposes at different points the cyclical operation of the unit Hi. It is noted that the design of the valve I2 is such as to permit all valve controls for the back washing, rinsing and regenerating operations to be contained within the valve body, thus eliminating the need for supplementary, external control means.

The construction of valve i2 as well as the arrangement of valve assemblies therein, permits the adjustment or removal of the valve assemblies and their components, with a minimum amount of effort. Removal of the cover plates 29, 29a, exposes the spring holders and valve guides for replacement or adjustment. Removal of the manifold Ila, allows admittance to the cam chamber 53 through access opening 40.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a multiport valve in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

x v 10" Ha n this with fan inlet port "or a combination chamber,

valve mean'sin the'inletand'outlet ports of each combination "chamber and common means within 'said"central chamber i'or1act'uating said valve means "in 'predeterniined combinations whereby said manifo d inletjmay'be selectively and directly connected to "bne of (said "combination chambersand saidoutlet 'chambermjay be directly connectedto one of said combinationchambers other than the selected combination chamber.

2. A valve as in claii'n "1 whereinsaid common actuating meansfcomprisesa cam shaft extending intosaid outletchamber and cam members mounted thereonjthe cam members for actuating the valve means in "id outlet pen being dis posed within said outlet chamber and accessible for replacement "or adjustment vvl' ereby the rate of now "of liquid. through said valve may be regulated. V e Y v r 3. A valve s inclaiin 1 wherein orifice membersare remo'vably meuiitedin each of saidoutlet *ports for 'regulaitin'gthe rate of flow of liquid throughsa'id valve. I v

4. Anima ion an 3 -01: centrolling the operation are. water seft'enfing unit comprising an outletchamber and a'fpairof combination raw water receiving and Waste disposal ch'ambers in communieating rela'tien with s' 'id outlet chamber, manifold means indirect communicating rela tion with each of said combination chambers, poppet valves between 'eac' her and said manifold means, a poppet valve between each combination chamber and said outlet chamber, a camshaft and cam members thereon foractuating saidvalves in requiredfconi binations and sequences, each of said first mentioned valves comprising a balanced valve assembly including a 'se pair of valve seats, a valve stem and a pair of valve discs mounted thereon for engagement with said seats, and spring means engageable with one of said valve discs for moving said valve stem in one direction after said stem has been moved in the opposite direction by the operation of said cam shaft a cam member thereon, said valve discs being arranged relative to said seat member whereby liquid pressures directed against said discs tend to simultaneously open and close said valve assembly and said. spring means has a strength substantially less than the total liquid pressure applicable to one of said valvediscs.

5. A multiport valve as in claim 4, wherein each of said second mentioned pair of valves is unbalanced and is arranged to be retained in a normally closed position by the liquid pressure of raw water within the combination chamber in which one of said second mentioned valves is disposed.

6. A valve comprising a body formed with a pair of chambers, a pair of ports on said body respectively communicating with said chambers, manifold means in direct communication with each of said pair of ports, balanced valve means mounted in each port and extending respectively as ented r'ny intens ty, I claimh combination chamat member formed with a into said chambers, and common means located between said chambers for selectively actuating said valve means for controlling communication between said manifold means and said chambers.

7. A valve comprising a body formed with a pair of spaced chambers and a third chamber in communicating relation with each of said pair of chambers, a pair of ports on said body respectively communicating with said pair of chambers, manifold means in direct communication with each of said pair of ports, valve means mounted in each port for controlling communication between said manifold means and each of said pair of chambers, valve means for controlling communication between each of said pair of chambers and said third chamber and common means for selectively actuating said valve means in predetermined combinations and sequence including a portion located between said pair of chambers and a portion located within said third chamber.

8. A multiport valve comprising a valve body including a first chamber having a port, a second chamber having a port, a raw water manifold communicating directly with said ports, an outlet chamber directly communicating with said first and second chambers, a pair of communicating chambers, one of said pair of chambers directly communicating with said manifold, the other of said pair of chambers having a connecting port, a second pair of communicating chambers, each of said second pair of chambers having a connecting port, poppetvalve means respectively mounted in the ports of said first and second chambers, poppet valve means between said outlet chamber and said first and second chambers, poppet valve means between the chambers of each of said pairs of communicating chambers, and cam means for actuating said valve means.

9. A multiport valve comprising a unitary body subdivided into a plurality of chambers, one of said chambers being elongated and centrally located, a second chamber being longitudinally aligned with said first chamber, a third chamber being located on one side of said first and second chambers, a fourth chamber being located on the other side of said first and second chambers, a pair of ports respectively connecting said third and fourth chambers with said second chamber, connection ports on said body respectively communicating with said third and fourth chambers, 1

portion in said second chamber, for operating said valve means.

10. A valve as in claim 9 and further including manifold means on said body in communicating relation with the connection ports of said third and fourth chambers, another port on said body communicating with said fourth chamber, valve means in said last mentioned port operable by said valve actuating means.

11. A valve as in claim 10 and including a pair of intercommunicating chambers located on one side of said first chamber and adjacent said third chamber, a port on said body connecting one of said pair of chambers with said manifold means, a connection port on said body communicating with the other of said pair of chambers, valve means controlling communication between said pair of chambers and operable by said valve actuating means.

12. A valve as in claim 11 and including a second pair of intercommunicating chambers located on one side of said first chamber and adjacent said first pair of communicating chambers, a pair of connection ports on said body respectively communicating with said second pair of chambers, and valve means controlling communication between said second pair of chambers and operable by said valve actuating means.

JOHN R. RHINEHART. CHARLES H. ESHRICH.

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